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Updated: Jul 18, 2025
Studying Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using Orthotopic Breast Cancer Model
Published on: March 20, 2020
Expression of four cancer-testis antigens in TNBC indicating potential universal immunotherapeutic targets
Jie Xiao1, Fengli Huang2, Lin Li3
1Department of Oncology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
Objective:
Immunotherapy is an attractive treatment for breast cancer. Cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) are potential targets for immunotherapy for their restricted expression. Here, we investigate the expression of CTAs in breast cancer and their value for prognosis. So as to hunt for a potential panel of CTAs for universal immunotherapeutic targets.
Material And Methods:
A total of 137 breast cancer tissue specimens including 51 triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) were assessed for MAGE-A4, MAGEA1, NY-ESO-1, KK-LC-1 and PRAME expression by immunohistochemistry. The expression of PD-L1 and TILs was also calculated and correlated with the five CTAs. Clinical data were collected to evaluate the CTA's value for prognosis. Data from the K-M plotter were used as a validation cohort.
Results:
The expression of MAGE-A4, NY-ESO-1 and KK-LC-1 in TNBC was significantly higher than in non-TNBC (P = 0.012, P = 0.005, P < 0.001 respectively). 76.47% of TNBC expressed at least one of the five CTAs. Patients with positive expression of either MAGE-A4 or PRAME had a significantly extended disease-free survival (DFS). Data from the Kaplan-Meier plotter confirm our findings.
Conclusions:
MAGE-A4, NY-ESO-1, PRAME and KK-LC-1 are overexpressed in breast cancer, especially in TNBC. Positive expression of MAGE-A4 or PARME may be associated with prolonged DFS. A panel of CTAs is attractive universal targets for immunotherapy.
Insights
Cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) like MAGE-A4 and PRAME are highly expressed in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Their expression correlates with longer disease-free survival, suggesting potential for immunotherapy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Immunotherapy offers a promising avenue for breast cancer treatment.
- Cancer-testis antigens (CTAs) are selectively expressed in tumors, making them ideal immunotherapy targets.
- Investigating CTA expression in breast cancer is crucial for identifying effective therapeutic strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the expression patterns of specific CTAs in breast cancer tissues.
- To assess the prognostic value of CTA expression for patient outcomes.
- To identify a potential panel of CTAs for universal breast cancer immunotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate MAGE-A4, MAGEA1, NY-ESO-1, KK-LC-1, and PRAME expression in 137 breast cancer specimens, including 51 triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cases.
- Expression of PD-L1 and tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) were quantified and correlated with CTA expression.
- Clinical data were analyzed for prognostic significance, with validation using the Kaplan-Meier plotter.
Main Results:
- MAGE-A4, NY-ESO-1, and KK-LC-1 showed significantly higher expression in TNBC compared to non-TNBC.
- Over 76% of TNBC cases expressed at least one of the five investigated CTAs.
- Positive expression of MAGE-A4 or PRAME was associated with significantly extended disease-free survival (DFS), confirmed by Kaplan-Meier analysis.
Conclusions:
- MAGE-A4, NY-ESO-1, PRAME, and KK-LC-1 are frequently overexpressed in breast cancer, particularly in TNBC.
- MAGE-A4 and PRAME expression may serve as predictive biomarkers for prolonged DFS in breast cancer patients.
- A curated panel of CTAs represents a promising strategy for developing universal immunotherapeutic targets for breast cancer.
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